Monday, February 04, 2008
Day 36: VERY WARM,...VERY, VERY WINDY...but WONDERFUL!!!
Yep......up to 86 Degrees today but OMG, these are the steadiest, strongest winds I believe we have experienced this year down here. It is 9:25pm.....and THANK GOD, I don't get seasick because TheHowserHouse is really moving around with these non-stop winds. Should not have any trouble getting to sleep.......we never stop rocking this evening.
Today: up at the usual time, French Roast coffee, fresh grapefruit, morning rituals, and then before we hardly knew it, the time arrived for us to leave for Victoria Palms RV Resort, a few miles west of here. The reason: the 2nd annual "Gathering" of the RV.NET members who are here in the RGV!
It was held at the Cactus Club at Victoria Palms......and the room was packed with members....and OMG, but what a grand afternoon we had!!! We saw friends that we made last year when we were here, we saw friends we have made this year, and met many more rvers that we will continue to stay in touch with. There were 122 registered to attend, and I believe that most of them did arrive at some time or another during the afternoon. Our organizer, Shirley.........she did a wonderful job....and I'm quite certain it WAS a job! We are sooooooo appreciative of all that you did do, Shirley!!!
We had a wonderful MC......Whippet from Canada. He is a natural with the microphone in his hand.....and had us laughing most of the afternoon. Wonderful door prizes were given away, we all had plenty of various kinds of liquid refreshments, popcorn, and then later on, hot dogs. We had plenty of time to visit, to "work the room and table hop", talking with others, meeting others, and putting faces with the online RV.NET names that we use on their wonderful Forum!
Then the last hour of the afternoon gathering we were entertained by the Skahl Family......a great group of musicians whom I believe are from the Nashville, TN area. Always is great to have a live group to enjoy. And......their performance was very entertaining and enjoyable!!
Returning to TheHowserHouse, we just kicked back for a while and enjoyed a quiet little rest before we made a bike trip over to the Rec Hall/Club House and Library for a few new books and to get a few brochures about activities, etc., etc. Returning to the north section of the resort, it was hardly necessary to peddle......the winds just pushed us back here!
WOW.......this was another GREAT day for us here at TheHowserHouse!!! Soooo great to spend time with friends at these social gatherings. My, my, my.......but our social schedule is soooo tightly booked/packed.....we may never get away from here by the end of this month!!!! Not certain we can get it all done...........however, whether we do or not, after a day like today.......
LIFE IS REALLY, REALLY GREAT!!!!!!!.....And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Today: up at the usual time, French Roast coffee, fresh grapefruit, morning rituals, and then before we hardly knew it, the time arrived for us to leave for Victoria Palms RV Resort, a few miles west of here. The reason: the 2nd annual "Gathering" of the RV.NET members who are here in the RGV!
It was held at the Cactus Club at Victoria Palms......and the room was packed with members....and OMG, but what a grand afternoon we had!!! We saw friends that we made last year when we were here, we saw friends we have made this year, and met many more rvers that we will continue to stay in touch with. There were 122 registered to attend, and I believe that most of them did arrive at some time or another during the afternoon. Our organizer, Shirley.........she did a wonderful job....and I'm quite certain it WAS a job! We are sooooooo appreciative of all that you did do, Shirley!!!
We had a wonderful MC......Whippet from Canada. He is a natural with the microphone in his hand.....and had us laughing most of the afternoon. Wonderful door prizes were given away, we all had plenty of various kinds of liquid refreshments, popcorn, and then later on, hot dogs. We had plenty of time to visit, to "work the room and table hop", talking with others, meeting others, and putting faces with the online RV.NET names that we use on their wonderful Forum!
Then the last hour of the afternoon gathering we were entertained by the Skahl Family......a great group of musicians whom I believe are from the Nashville, TN area. Always is great to have a live group to enjoy. And......their performance was very entertaining and enjoyable!!
Returning to TheHowserHouse, we just kicked back for a while and enjoyed a quiet little rest before we made a bike trip over to the Rec Hall/Club House and Library for a few new books and to get a few brochures about activities, etc., etc. Returning to the north section of the resort, it was hardly necessary to peddle......the winds just pushed us back here!
WOW.......this was another GREAT day for us here at TheHowserHouse!!! Soooo great to spend time with friends at these social gatherings. My, my, my.......but our social schedule is soooo tightly booked/packed.....we may never get away from here by the end of this month!!!! Not certain we can get it all done...........however, whether we do or not, after a day like today.......
LIFE IS REALLY, REALLY GREAT!!!!!!!.....And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Day 35: Quick trip to S. Padre and the Kite Festival!!
Up we were at the usual time......French Roast coffee for me...and hot tea for the 1st Lady......and then we made the spur-of-the-moment decision to run out to South Padre Island and go to the S.P.I. Kite Festival. We had discussed going a few days ago, but just kind of held off making the final decision until we could get a better idea of the weather for the day. Well.....as far as SPI....the weather.com was wrong.....no sun for any length of time was seen on South Padre.
We arrived on SPI shortly after 12, drove up the island until we found the turn-off for the Kite Festival. All we had to do was follow the parade of cars and trucks who all seemed to be heading to the same place....the western side of the island...the bay side. Several hundred vehicles were already there when we drove in....and then we were shown where to park the truck.
There were quite a few kites in the air, but the winds were blowing like Hell.....and as we later learned, many of the very large kites pulled back and did not fly because of the danger of the winds to all of the large kites. We found a place to put down the ground cover that we brought with us.....and sat down to enjoy the exhibitions by various kiters....either singularly or in teams.
Some of them were really good, but there was one international team that.....well, they were simply amazing!!!! AMAZING! They were so synchronized, so detailed with their flight moves....just like dancers in the sky! And.....it was choreographed to the music that was played......I have never seen anything quite like this........the way these guys controlled their kites with two or four strings was nothing short of miraculous. WOW....WOW....OMG!!! This was well worth the trip to the Island....and the wind/sunburn that I got on my face.....had to be mostly wind as we hardly ever saw the sun. Sure it poured through those gray clouds as I have had a sunburn at the beach on cloudy days at other times.
We stayed until 3pm.....watching the kite fliers take their turns, some good, a few outstanding ones. We saw and visited with some square dance friends and then the people behind us asked where we were from....and, of course, they just happened to be from the Lake of the Ozarks in central Missouri. Again......it is certainly a small world!!!
We worked our way through the hundreds of spectators and found the truck. I turned the truck northward on the highway....and we drove up the Island just a few more miles...and then turned around and headed back to the commercial area. We stopped at a couple of those "Wings" type of stores.....bathing suits, towels, high priced shirts and shorts, etc., etc. We found nothing that we needed......
And so, we went on down to the tip of the Island....and there waiting for us was: DIRTY AL'S!!!!! Yep......once again, we pulled into a good parking spot. Then I went inside and put our names on the waiting list.....and then returned outside to join a lot of others waiting for tables. It really wasn't tooo long....perhaps 15-20 minutes and we were seated!!!!
What did we order????? Well.......there is a varied seafood menu, but we both ordered the fried shrimp....the incredibly good fried shrimp that we had last year when we ate here......and I have been talking about it and waiting for our return for over one year!!!!!! We ordered a pitcher of draft beer.....and before long, we had our shrimp!!! OMG.......again, for the umpteenth time I will have to say that these fried shrimp are THE BEST that I have ever eaten....anywhere in the world. Now THAT is quite a statement, but as my travels have taken me to 45 countries around the world and every state in the USA, I have sampled and eaten untold numbers of fried shrimp wherever I have found them on a menu.......and I have not a doubt that these are the best!!!!!!!!!!! Just two months ago I was in Egypt and Jordan....as most of you know.....and in both places we had fried shrimp.....they didn't even compare to these today. If you are in this area, or if you come to this area sometime........do not fail to stand in line for a table and then try these shrimp. Perfectly coated with a very light breading, fried just the right amount of time so they are not tough, and then served very hot and crisp with a wonderful cocktail sauce. WOW!!!!
After that wonderful experience, we went to the office of the County RV Park at the end of the Island to get some information about reservations, prices, etc., etc. We plan to return soon to spend some time with friends from F'town/Eldon who are camped in the area and at that time, we plant to drive through the RV Park to check out the sites, size, etc., etc. We are thinking about spending the 1st week of March there after our time here at Llano Grande runs out. Our plans are for us to not return to our stick/brick until the 1st of April.........and we will be staying around the New Orleans area for a few days to visit with Jeremy who is living there on this current campaign that he is managing for the November elections.
Returning to TheHowserHouse, we opened the windows and freshened the rv......and then just sat down and relaxed for the evening. I will post some of my not-so-good pictures from the Kite Festival........the colors were just so-so because of the clouds and no good sky background. But......it was a fun and a great day today........and, of course......
LIFE IS REALLY GREAT!!!!!!.......And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
We arrived on SPI shortly after 12, drove up the island until we found the turn-off for the Kite Festival. All we had to do was follow the parade of cars and trucks who all seemed to be heading to the same place....the western side of the island...the bay side. Several hundred vehicles were already there when we drove in....and then we were shown where to park the truck.
There were quite a few kites in the air, but the winds were blowing like Hell.....and as we later learned, many of the very large kites pulled back and did not fly because of the danger of the winds to all of the large kites. We found a place to put down the ground cover that we brought with us.....and sat down to enjoy the exhibitions by various kiters....either singularly or in teams.
Some of them were really good, but there was one international team that.....well, they were simply amazing!!!! AMAZING! They were so synchronized, so detailed with their flight moves....just like dancers in the sky! And.....it was choreographed to the music that was played......I have never seen anything quite like this........the way these guys controlled their kites with two or four strings was nothing short of miraculous. WOW....WOW....OMG!!! This was well worth the trip to the Island....and the wind/sunburn that I got on my face.....had to be mostly wind as we hardly ever saw the sun. Sure it poured through those gray clouds as I have had a sunburn at the beach on cloudy days at other times.
We stayed until 3pm.....watching the kite fliers take their turns, some good, a few outstanding ones. We saw and visited with some square dance friends and then the people behind us asked where we were from....and, of course, they just happened to be from the Lake of the Ozarks in central Missouri. Again......it is certainly a small world!!!
We worked our way through the hundreds of spectators and found the truck. I turned the truck northward on the highway....and we drove up the Island just a few more miles...and then turned around and headed back to the commercial area. We stopped at a couple of those "Wings" type of stores.....bathing suits, towels, high priced shirts and shorts, etc., etc. We found nothing that we needed......
And so, we went on down to the tip of the Island....and there waiting for us was: DIRTY AL'S!!!!! Yep......once again, we pulled into a good parking spot. Then I went inside and put our names on the waiting list.....and then returned outside to join a lot of others waiting for tables. It really wasn't tooo long....perhaps 15-20 minutes and we were seated!!!!
What did we order????? Well.......there is a varied seafood menu, but we both ordered the fried shrimp....the incredibly good fried shrimp that we had last year when we ate here......and I have been talking about it and waiting for our return for over one year!!!!!! We ordered a pitcher of draft beer.....and before long, we had our shrimp!!! OMG.......again, for the umpteenth time I will have to say that these fried shrimp are THE BEST that I have ever eaten....anywhere in the world. Now THAT is quite a statement, but as my travels have taken me to 45 countries around the world and every state in the USA, I have sampled and eaten untold numbers of fried shrimp wherever I have found them on a menu.......and I have not a doubt that these are the best!!!!!!!!!!! Just two months ago I was in Egypt and Jordan....as most of you know.....and in both places we had fried shrimp.....they didn't even compare to these today. If you are in this area, or if you come to this area sometime........do not fail to stand in line for a table and then try these shrimp. Perfectly coated with a very light breading, fried just the right amount of time so they are not tough, and then served very hot and crisp with a wonderful cocktail sauce. WOW!!!!
After that wonderful experience, we went to the office of the County RV Park at the end of the Island to get some information about reservations, prices, etc., etc. We plan to return soon to spend some time with friends from F'town/Eldon who are camped in the area and at that time, we plant to drive through the RV Park to check out the sites, size, etc., etc. We are thinking about spending the 1st week of March there after our time here at Llano Grande runs out. Our plans are for us to not return to our stick/brick until the 1st of April.........and we will be staying around the New Orleans area for a few days to visit with Jeremy who is living there on this current campaign that he is managing for the November elections.
Returning to TheHowserHouse, we opened the windows and freshened the rv......and then just sat down and relaxed for the evening. I will post some of my not-so-good pictures from the Kite Festival........the colors were just so-so because of the clouds and no good sky background. But......it was a fun and a great day today........and, of course......
LIFE IS REALLY GREAT!!!!!!.......And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Day 34: A Great Day that Can't be beat!!!!
OMG.......the first look out the window this morning and I just knew that this day was going to be a wonderful one!! Bright sun rising in the east.....and the bright-bright blue sky everywhere....WOW! And....I wasn't wrong about this prediction, either!!
While the 1st Lady slept for another hour, I had my first cup(s) of freshly ground French Roast coffee, checked my emails, and then read the online newspapers that read each day. Waking the 1st Lady, we went through our morning rituals, we each ate a large Ruby Red Grapefruit(ohhhh, sooo goooood), and then decided to go for a morning bike ride around the resort. A GREAT morning to do just this......not a power ride that is measured and timed, but just a little tour of the neighborhood to see the many rv's that now have the resort rv sites filled.
We ran into some sq. dancing and casino friends from Alberta, Canada who were also riding bikes this morning.....and they suggested that we ride by the Crafts Show in the Rec Hall and check it out. Well.......what a great show!!!!! Soooooo many wonderful crafts filled the hall......as well as the many, many lookers and buyers!!!! It was just so refreshing to see such wonderful talent(s) that were laid out in the hall this morning!!!
Returning to TheHowserHouse, we had a quick little bite of lunch....and then left for the fresh fruit and veggie market....and our square dancing class. At the market: WOW......soooooo many mounds of fresh fruit....just beautiful!!! And the fresh veggies from the gardens were soooo enticing and mouth-watering as we stumbled over the hundreds of Winter Texans who were doing the same thing we were doing......looking for great buys here. The 1st Lady and I purchase 5 Poblano Peppers($1.00) for my niece in Missouri(must be mailed), 10 beautiful pineapple-oranges that are extra sweet, and several other little items that we wanted to eat at a later time.
Then it was off to our sq. dancing class at Casa del Sol RV Park........and we were part of the nine squares.....72 dancers......at the class today. We danced with our new friends from all over the RGV that we have met at these dance classes......WinterTexans that are from all over the USA and Canada!! After two hours of fun and learning, we left for Llano Grande and TheHowserHouse, but first we made a quick stop at the supermarket for some ground beef for a Mexicano casserole that the 1st Lady was to cook this evening.
Returning, we quickly headed a couple of streets north of here to the new swimming pool and hotpool.......!!! They are soooo beautiful and so well planned and designed. We once again met others there and enjoyed such stimulating conversations about so many topics and places here in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. A great hour or more.
Back at TheHowserHouse, I pour myself a dose of my dark red medicine......yummmmm. I was needing a dose or two of this healthful medication!!! I wandered over to the RV next to us and sat awhile with the residents of this Montana 5er.......Ted and Sandy. What a lot we have in common!!!! We all like to travel, not only here in the US, but around the world.......and so, when the 1st Lady joined us, we talked in detail about our recent trip to Egypt and Jordan.....and listened to their recent trips to China for 23 days...and their trip through the Panama Canal on a cruise out of Acapulco. They are interested in traveling to Egypt in the near future so I talked to them, answered questions, and encouraged them to make that trip!!
After a great dinner by Chef 1st Lady......we retired to the den and are currently enjoying the Eukanuba National Dog Show.......an annual event we both really enjoy. It has been a busy day....hahaha, aren't they all?? When we return by the 1st of April.......we won't know what to do with ourselves.......our social life will just disappear.....hahahaa!!!! And soooo, you know it, don't you???? Yep.......that's right........ a day such as this....a Great Day that Can't be beat.........only ensures that......
LIFE IS INCREDIBLY GREAT!!!!!!.......And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
While the 1st Lady slept for another hour, I had my first cup(s) of freshly ground French Roast coffee, checked my emails, and then read the online newspapers that read each day. Waking the 1st Lady, we went through our morning rituals, we each ate a large Ruby Red Grapefruit(ohhhh, sooo goooood), and then decided to go for a morning bike ride around the resort. A GREAT morning to do just this......not a power ride that is measured and timed, but just a little tour of the neighborhood to see the many rv's that now have the resort rv sites filled.
We ran into some sq. dancing and casino friends from Alberta, Canada who were also riding bikes this morning.....and they suggested that we ride by the Crafts Show in the Rec Hall and check it out. Well.......what a great show!!!!! Soooooo many wonderful crafts filled the hall......as well as the many, many lookers and buyers!!!! It was just so refreshing to see such wonderful talent(s) that were laid out in the hall this morning!!!
Returning to TheHowserHouse, we had a quick little bite of lunch....and then left for the fresh fruit and veggie market....and our square dancing class. At the market: WOW......soooooo many mounds of fresh fruit....just beautiful!!! And the fresh veggies from the gardens were soooo enticing and mouth-watering as we stumbled over the hundreds of Winter Texans who were doing the same thing we were doing......looking for great buys here. The 1st Lady and I purchase 5 Poblano Peppers($1.00) for my niece in Missouri(must be mailed), 10 beautiful pineapple-oranges that are extra sweet, and several other little items that we wanted to eat at a later time.
Then it was off to our sq. dancing class at Casa del Sol RV Park........and we were part of the nine squares.....72 dancers......at the class today. We danced with our new friends from all over the RGV that we have met at these dance classes......WinterTexans that are from all over the USA and Canada!! After two hours of fun and learning, we left for Llano Grande and TheHowserHouse, but first we made a quick stop at the supermarket for some ground beef for a Mexicano casserole that the 1st Lady was to cook this evening.
Returning, we quickly headed a couple of streets north of here to the new swimming pool and hotpool.......!!! They are soooo beautiful and so well planned and designed. We once again met others there and enjoyed such stimulating conversations about so many topics and places here in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. A great hour or more.
Back at TheHowserHouse, I pour myself a dose of my dark red medicine......yummmmm. I was needing a dose or two of this healthful medication!!! I wandered over to the RV next to us and sat awhile with the residents of this Montana 5er.......Ted and Sandy. What a lot we have in common!!!! We all like to travel, not only here in the US, but around the world.......and so, when the 1st Lady joined us, we talked in detail about our recent trip to Egypt and Jordan.....and listened to their recent trips to China for 23 days...and their trip through the Panama Canal on a cruise out of Acapulco. They are interested in traveling to Egypt in the near future so I talked to them, answered questions, and encouraged them to make that trip!!
After a great dinner by Chef 1st Lady......we retired to the den and are currently enjoying the Eukanuba National Dog Show.......an annual event we both really enjoy. It has been a busy day....hahaha, aren't they all?? When we return by the 1st of April.......we won't know what to do with ourselves.......our social life will just disappear.....hahahaa!!!! And soooo, you know it, don't you???? Yep.......that's right........ a day such as this....a Great Day that Can't be beat.........only ensures that......
LIFE IS INCREDIBLY GREAT!!!!!!.......And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Friday, February 01, 2008
Day 33: Cooler, but just as blue and beautiful here and in Mexico!
Yep.....the furnace kicked on last night....several times. Well, when that occurs it is mounting evidence of a mucho cooler night....and it was just that! We stayed warm upstairs, as always, but the noise of the furnace does seem to to disturb us enough that we are cognizant of it being on.
Noise or not, we slept well....and by 9:30, our morning rituals were completed, Fr. Roast coffee(me) and hot tea(1st Lady) had been consumed. She decided.....a habit, I think....that a few little bills needed to be authorized online for payment, and so I found her sitting at the desk with HER lappie a bit longer than I had anticipated. I jumped into the truck, went over to the Llano Grande Hacienda(office) and paid our electric bill....and then quickly returned.
By the time I arrived back at TheHowserHouse she was outside and waiting on me to pick her up.......(just another "pick up").....and we were soon on our way, a short drive.....to Progreso, Mexico to spend most of the day. When we arrived at the car parks(parking lots), it was immediately evident that there were MANY, MANY people who had already walked across the bridge over the Rio Grande ahead of us. I always park on the left side as we approach the bridge.....as it makes it mucho easier to get out of the lot when we return.....not having to fight the cross traffic from the the bridge crossings.
We gathered a few quarters for the bridge toll($.25 going to MX, $.30 going to the USA)....and before long we had walked across the bridge, paid the toll, and were submerged in the very large crowds of Winter Texans(senior citizens) strolling down the sidewalks! "Strolling" may be a stretch.......it is more like take 2-4 steps and then wait for someone ahead of you to move so you can take a few more steps!!! The shops, the sidewalk stalls, the street corners,....everywhere there were people....Americans and Mexicans!!
We shopped......it might be better if I said.....looked in a lot of shops. The 1st Lady purchased some OTC meds.....at a cheaper price than at WalMart......I purchased a container of Kahlua filled chocolate candies, each individually wrapped....and I had purchase some last year and they are soooooooooooo damn good!!! YUMMMMMMMY!!!!
We then went inside at Restaurant Renes.......a Panadaria with Coffee Shop....and a cafe. Not having eaten here before, we decided upon some Mexican pastries and coffee. AND....it was an excellent choice!! They were very good, the coffee wasn't too terrible, and the place was packed with....guess who??? Winter Texans!!! While we there, a couple of Mexican musicians arrived and began performing for everyone(especially the table that hired them to play...haha). When we finished our drinks and pastries, we emerged.....perhaps the word merged is more fitting.....onto the sidewalks teeming with people trying to shop, small children with tiny boxes of candy or gum, and others sitting on the sidewalk with their empty cups outstretched for donations to their plight. Yep.....these are the sidewalks of Progreso, Mexico!!!
We walked through one of the arcades and came out on the back street......and then walked on up that almost empty street to the Progreso Market. Going inside we enjoyed the music and the laughter and clinking of glasses at Arriba's.....a popular watering hole and sidewalk cafe for....guess who? Winter Texans!!! Not quite ready to eat again, we ambled back to the main street, looked at more shops....and then about an hour later we decided to return to the Red Snapper......our favorite restaurant in Progreso. Walking up the steps to the second floor, the live music welcomed us as well as really great waiter....who quickly ushered us to a vacant table.
I ordered a margarita(two for the price of one)...and the 1st Lady ordered a Coke.....and they arrived quickly with some wonderful chips and hot(temperature) salsa....OHHHH SOOO GOOD!!! I ordered a Mexican plate of a bit of everything.....and the 1st Lady decided on the Fried Shrimp......a meal we had each had at other times. EVERYTHING was really great.....and our conversations with those at the next table brought about the discovery that they were also from Missouri/Misery.......and had their homes at the Lake of the Ozarks!!!! Yep.......more couples that live there......my former home!! WHAT a small world.....and we find this to be true almost every day when talking with others who are wintering down here.
After the late lunch, we slowly walked back to the bridge, paid our $.30 to cross,and then went through Passport Control. Going through individually, each of us were asked a few brief questions as to citizenship(he had our passports in his hand), and what items we purchased in Mexico (meds, candy, and cookies). Passing through, we continued on to the parking lot......hopped in the truck and within less than 15 minutes we were at TheHowserHouse.......sooooo damn close to the culture, the food, the music, the shopping, the people of our wonderful neighbors south of the border!!!!!
With a fabulous day that we had: weather, food, music, culture, people shopping........of course,.......
LIFE IS INCREDIBLY GREAT!!!!!!!.......And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Noise or not, we slept well....and by 9:30, our morning rituals were completed, Fr. Roast coffee(me) and hot tea(1st Lady) had been consumed. She decided.....a habit, I think....that a few little bills needed to be authorized online for payment, and so I found her sitting at the desk with HER lappie a bit longer than I had anticipated. I jumped into the truck, went over to the Llano Grande Hacienda(office) and paid our electric bill....and then quickly returned.
By the time I arrived back at TheHowserHouse she was outside and waiting on me to pick her up.......(just another "pick up").....and we were soon on our way, a short drive.....to Progreso, Mexico to spend most of the day. When we arrived at the car parks(parking lots), it was immediately evident that there were MANY, MANY people who had already walked across the bridge over the Rio Grande ahead of us. I always park on the left side as we approach the bridge.....as it makes it mucho easier to get out of the lot when we return.....not having to fight the cross traffic from the the bridge crossings.
We gathered a few quarters for the bridge toll($.25 going to MX, $.30 going to the USA)....and before long we had walked across the bridge, paid the toll, and were submerged in the very large crowds of Winter Texans(senior citizens) strolling down the sidewalks! "Strolling" may be a stretch.......it is more like take 2-4 steps and then wait for someone ahead of you to move so you can take a few more steps!!! The shops, the sidewalk stalls, the street corners,....everywhere there were people....Americans and Mexicans!!
We shopped......it might be better if I said.....looked in a lot of shops. The 1st Lady purchased some OTC meds.....at a cheaper price than at WalMart......I purchased a container of Kahlua filled chocolate candies, each individually wrapped....and I had purchase some last year and they are soooooooooooo damn good!!! YUMMMMMMMY!!!!
We then went inside at Restaurant Renes.......a Panadaria with Coffee Shop....and a cafe. Not having eaten here before, we decided upon some Mexican pastries and coffee. AND....it was an excellent choice!! They were very good, the coffee wasn't too terrible, and the place was packed with....guess who??? Winter Texans!!! While we there, a couple of Mexican musicians arrived and began performing for everyone(especially the table that hired them to play...haha). When we finished our drinks and pastries, we emerged.....perhaps the word merged is more fitting.....onto the sidewalks teeming with people trying to shop, small children with tiny boxes of candy or gum, and others sitting on the sidewalk with their empty cups outstretched for donations to their plight. Yep.....these are the sidewalks of Progreso, Mexico!!!
We walked through one of the arcades and came out on the back street......and then walked on up that almost empty street to the Progreso Market. Going inside we enjoyed the music and the laughter and clinking of glasses at Arriba's.....a popular watering hole and sidewalk cafe for....guess who? Winter Texans!!! Not quite ready to eat again, we ambled back to the main street, looked at more shops....and then about an hour later we decided to return to the Red Snapper......our favorite restaurant in Progreso. Walking up the steps to the second floor, the live music welcomed us as well as really great waiter....who quickly ushered us to a vacant table.
I ordered a margarita(two for the price of one)...and the 1st Lady ordered a Coke.....and they arrived quickly with some wonderful chips and hot(temperature) salsa....OHHHH SOOO GOOD!!! I ordered a Mexican plate of a bit of everything.....and the 1st Lady decided on the Fried Shrimp......a meal we had each had at other times. EVERYTHING was really great.....and our conversations with those at the next table brought about the discovery that they were also from Missouri/Misery.......and had their homes at the Lake of the Ozarks!!!! Yep.......more couples that live there......my former home!! WHAT a small world.....and we find this to be true almost every day when talking with others who are wintering down here.
After the late lunch, we slowly walked back to the bridge, paid our $.30 to cross,and then went through Passport Control. Going through individually, each of us were asked a few brief questions as to citizenship(he had our passports in his hand), and what items we purchased in Mexico (meds, candy, and cookies). Passing through, we continued on to the parking lot......hopped in the truck and within less than 15 minutes we were at TheHowserHouse.......sooooo damn close to the culture, the food, the music, the shopping, the people of our wonderful neighbors south of the border!!!!!
With a fabulous day that we had: weather, food, music, culture, people shopping........of course,.......
LIFE IS INCREDIBLY GREAT!!!!!!!.......And, I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
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